E. Revilla et al., Defining key habitats for low density populations of Eurasian badgers in Mediterranean environments, BIOL CONSER, 95(3), 2000, pp. 269-277
Populations of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) living in Mediterranean ecosy
stems are of conservation concern. Deciduous forests are considered the mai
n habitats of these badger populations in mountains, but key habitats for b
adgers have not been distinguished in Mediterranean lowlands. We provide a
quantitative analysis of the overall habitat selection and preferences of E
urasian badgers in a Mediterranean area (Donana, SW Spain). Data on 17 radi
omarked animals in a rabbit-based population and three animals from another
population with no single staple food were analysed by compositional analy
sis for determining selection and preference order, and Jacobs' index for a
bsolute preference/avoidance. Results indicate that, in the rabbit-based ar
ea, badgers preferred well-preserved Mediterranean scrubland at every level
of the analysis. In the area where badgers had no staple food there was no
clear pattern. Rabbit abundance explained a significant amount of variance
of the Jacobs' index in the rabbit-based area at all levels of the analysi
s. It is concluded that badgers are selecting those habitat types which hol
d key resources, such us food or shelter. Thus, not only deciduous forest a
nd associated pastures, but also scrubland holding healthy rabbit populatio
ns are key habitats for Mediterranean badgers living in the Iberian peninsu
la. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.